Switch between feet/inches and centimeters using the universal formula—multiply feet by 30.48 and inches by 2.54, then add. The math never changes, the answers are exact, and no calculator is required once you memorize two numbers.
1 Foot: 30.48 cm ·
1 Inch: 2.54 cm ·
5 Feet 7 Inches: 170.18 cm
Quick snapshot
- 1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly (RapidTables conversion chart)
- 1 foot = 30.48 cm (RapidTables conversion chart)
- Formula: cm = (feet × 30.48) + (inches × 2.54) (The Calculator Site converter)
- Regional rounding practices outside US/UK medical contexts lack documented sources (Miami Med PDF).
- Error margins for manual calculations not formally specified in public references. (Miami Med PDF)
- 1959: International Yard and Pound Agreement set 1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly (University of Manchester academic reference)
- 2023: NHS Sussex publishes official height chart (NHS Sussex official chart)
- Step-by-step worked examples below cover common heights from 5’3″ to 6’0″.
- FAQ section answers reverse conversions: cm back to feet and inches.
The foundational conversion table below establishes the exact multipliers used throughout this guide.
| Conversion | Value |
|---|---|
| 1 Foot Equals | 30.48 cm |
| 1 Inch Equals | 2.54 cm |
| Conversion Steps | 2 (feet + inches) |
| Accuracy | Two decimals |
What is 5 ft 7 in in cm?
The most-searched height in this category is 5’7″, so let’s start there. Multiplying 5 feet by 30.48 gives 152.40 cm, then adding 7 inches × 2.54 equals 17.78 cm. Together that’s 170.18 cm (Math with Mr. J YouTube channel).
Formula application
The universal formula works for any combination: cm = (feet × 30.48) + (inches × 2.54). Both multipliers come from the international agreement that made 1 inch exactly 2.54 centimeters since 1959 (Inch Calculator converter tool). That means the conversions never vary by region or calculator—you’re working with constants, not approximations.
Step-by-step calculation
- Step 1: Take your feet value (5) and multiply by 30.48 → 5 × 30.48 = 152.40
- Step 2: Take your inches value (7) and multiply by 2.54 → 7 × 2.54 = 17.78
- Step 3: Add both results → 152.40 + 17.78 = 170.18 cm
The pattern holds across every height calculation—the 152.40 cm figure stays constant for all heights between 5’0″ and 5’11”, with only the inches component varying.
What height is 5ft 4 in cm?
Working through 5’4″: 5 × 30.48 = 152.40 cm for the feet portion, then 4 × 2.54 = 10.16 cm for the inches. Adding them gives 162.56 cm (Calculator Soup conversion tool). This is a frequently referenced height in clothing sizing and medical charts.
Direct conversion
The calculation follows the identical two-step process as any other height. Medical height charts from institutions like UHSussex NHS round to the nearest centimeter (5’6.5″ = 169 cm), while conversion calculators preserve the full two-decimal precision (NHS Sussex official chart). The difference is minimal—usually 0.1 to 0.5 cm—but worth noting if precision matters for your use case.
Common uses
This height appears frequently in UK clothing labels and pediatric growth charts. The NHS chart lists 5’4″ alongside metric equivalents for easy reference when comparing UK and international sizing standards.
What is 5ft 3 in cm?
For 5’3″, the feet component again yields 152.40 cm (5 × 30.48). The inches portion is 3 × 2.54 = 7.62 cm, which totals 160.02 cm (ManuelsWeb practical examples). This height often surfaces in wheelchair specifications and certain international fashion markets.
Calculation breakdown
The arithmetic checks out: 152.40 + 7.62 = 160.02 cm. Verified independently across multiple sources including SplashLearn, which confirms the same result through its educational conversion exercises.
Related heights
Neighboring heights help contextualize the scale: 5’2″ = 157.48 cm, 5’3″ = 160.02 cm, 5’4″ = 162.56 cm. Each half-inch increment adds 1.27 cm (half of 2.54), so the progression is linear and predictable.
Feet to CM (ft to cm) Conversion – Formula, Facts, Examples
Understanding the core formula gives you flexibility beyond any single example. Once the concept clicks, you can convert any imperial height to centimeters without a calculator—though a calculator certainly speeds things up.
Core formula
The governing equation is straightforward: cm = (feet × 30.48) + (inches × 2.54). This simplifies to a two-component addition: a feet component and an inches component (RapidTables comprehensive chart). You can also express it as: first convert feet to total inches (feet × 12), then multiply total inches by 2.54—both paths arrive at the same answer.
Examples table
These conversions use the exact multipliers 30.48 cm per foot and 2.54 cm per inch.
| Height (ft in) | Feet portion (cm) | Inches portion (cm) | Total (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0 in | 182.88 | 0.00 | 182.88 |
| 5 ft 11 in | 152.40 | 27.94 | 180.34 |
| 5 ft 10 in | 152.40 | 25.40 | 177.80 |
| 5 ft 9 in | 152.40 | 22.86 | 175.26 |
| 5 ft 8 in | 152.40 | 20.32 | 172.72 |
| 5 ft 7 in | 152.40 | 17.78 | 170.18 |
| 5 ft 6 in | 152.40 | 15.24 | 167.64 |
| 5 ft 5 in | 152.40 | 12.70 | 165.10 |
| 5 ft 4 in | 152.40 | 10.16 | 162.56 |
| 5 ft 3 in | 152.40 | 7.62 | 160.02 |
Accuracy tips
Always keep the full decimal results through your calculation—rounding too early introduces cumulative error. If your final answer needs to match a medical chart, round to the nearest 0.5 cm. For engineering or technical documentation, preserve two decimal places.
The 152.40 cm figure appears in every height from 5’0″ to 5’11″—it’s the fixed cost of five feet. Only the inches portion varies, which is why memorizing “30.48 per foot” and “2.54 per inch” unlocks the entire conversion system.
Is 170 cm 5’7″ or 5’6″?
This is the reverse question that trips people up: starting with centimeters and converting back to feet and inches. The process inverts the formula—divide cm by 2.54 to get total inches, then divide inches by 12 for feet with a remainder.
Reverse conversion
For 170 cm: 170 ÷ 2.54 = 66.93 inches. Dividing 66.93 by 12 gives 5 feet with a remainder of 6.93 inches. Since 6.93 is closer to 7 than to 6, 170 cm maps most accurately to 5’7″ (Inch Calculator converter tool). The slight remainder (6.93 instead of 7.00) explains why some charts round differently.
Rounding rules
Medical charts typically round to the nearest centimeter. Using that approach: 170 cm is already a whole number, so it stays 170 cm → 5’7″ in imperial notation. UK NHS charts display this as 1.70 m, which is the same value expressed in meters (NHS Sussex official chart).
Chart reference
The Miami Med height conversion table from 2024 rounds strictly to whole centimeters, while most consumer calculators show two decimals. Both approaches are valid—they just serve different precision needs.
How to Convert Feet and Inches to CM (Step by Step)
Working through a complete manual calculation from scratch builds understanding that a quick calculator result cannot. Here’s the process applied to a mid-range height.
Step 1: Gather your inputs
- Identify the feet value: enter your height in feet alone (ignore inches for now)
- Identify the inches value: the remaining portion of your height, from 0 to 11
- Confirm you have two numbers to work with, not one combined figure
Step 2: Convert feet to cm
- Multiply the feet value by 30.48
- Example: 5 ft × 30.48 = 152.40 cm
- This is your feet component
Step 3: Convert inches to cm
- Multiply the inches value by 2.54
- Example: 8 in × 2.54 = 20.32 cm
- This is your inches component
Step 4: Add both results
- 152.40 cm + 20.32 cm = 172.72 cm
- Your complete height in centimeters
- Verify against a calculator if unsure
Breaking the calculation into two steps makes the process transparent and verifiable. Medical professionals and sizing specialists often work from memorized charts, but understanding the underlying math lets you check any figure independently.
Height Conversion Chart: Common Heights
A reference table covers the most-searched heights without requiring manual calculation. These values are verified across at least two independent sources each.
| Feet and Inches | Centimeters | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 ft 0 in | 121.92 cm | Rounded medical: 122 cm |
| 4 ft 6 in | 137.16 cm | |
| 5 ft 0 in | 152.40 cm | |
| 5 ft 3 in | 160.02 cm | Also listed as 160 cm on some charts |
| 5 ft 4 in | 162.56 cm | |
| 5 ft 5 in | 165.10 cm | |
| 5 ft 6 in | 167.64 cm | |
| 5 ft 7 in | 170.18 cm | 170 cm on most medical charts |
| 5 ft 8 in | 172.72 cm | |
| 5 ft 9 in | 175.26 cm | |
| 5 ft 10 in | 177.80 cm | |
| 5 ft 11 in | 180.34 cm | |
| 6 ft 0 in | 182.88 cm |
Accuracy tips
The Miami Med PDF from 2024 rounds medical heights to whole centimeters, which is standard in clinical settings. Consumer conversion sites and educational materials typically preserve two decimal places. For most everyday purposes—clothing, casual comparison—both levels of precision are fine. In medical or scientific contexts, follow the rounding convention of that institution.
Feet-only heights (no inches) follow the same formula but skip the inches component. 6 ft = 182.88 cm, not 183 cm—the 0.12 cm difference is small but measurable with precise instruments.
Converting CM Back to Feet and Inches
The reverse calculation matters when comparing international data or reading metric measurements from foreign documents. The steps mirror the forward conversion but in reverse order.
The reverse formula
To convert cm to feet and inches: divide the cm value by 2.54 to get total inches, then divide total inches by 12 to get feet with a remainder. The remainder is your inches value (Inch Calculator converter tool). Working through 175 cm: 175 ÷ 2.54 = 68.90 inches → 68.90 ÷ 12 = 5 feet with 8.90 inches remainder → 5’8.9″ (often rounded to 5’9″).
Quick reference for common centimeter values
This table shows how centimeters convert back to feet and inches using the same 2.54 factor.
| Centimeters | Feet and Inches | Rounded |
|---|---|---|
| 160 cm | 5 ft 2.96 in | 5’3″ |
| 162 cm | 5 ft 3.81 in | 5’4″ |
| 165 cm | 5 ft 4.96 in | 5’5″ |
| 170 cm | 5 ft 6.93 in | 5’7″ |
| 175 cm | 5 ft 8.90 in | 5’9″ |
| 180 cm | 5 ft 10.87 in | 5’11” |
| 185 cm | 6 ft 0.83 in | 6’1″ |
Whole centimeter rounding
When converting rounded centimeter values, the results sometimes land between standard feet/inch marks. 162 cm sits closer to 5’4″ than 5’3″—the 0.81-inch remainder (4.81 in vs 4.00 in + 0.81 in threshold) clearly favors 5’4″ (Calculator Soup conversion tool).
To calculate your height in centimeters from inches, multiply your height figure by 2.54.
1 foot is equal to 30.48 centimeters: 1 ft = 30.48 cm.
— RapidTables (Reference Site)
Related reading: Pandora Ring Size Chart – UK Letters, CM and Men’s Guide
Practical users often pair the core formula with a feet and inches to cm converter offering instant calculations and detailed charts for everyday heights.
Frequently asked questions
What is 6 feet in cm?
6 feet equals 182.88 cm. This is calculated as 6 × 30.48 with no additional inches component. The value appears consistently across medical charts and conversion calculators (SplashLearn educational resource).
What is 5 feet 10 inches in cm?
5’10” equals 177.80 cm. The feet component (5 × 30.48) yields 152.40 cm, and the inches component (10 × 2.54) adds 25.40 cm for a combined total of 177.80 cm.
What is 5 feet 9 inches in cm?
5’9″ equals 175.26 cm. Following the standard formula: 152.40 cm from the feet portion plus 22.86 cm from 9 inches.
Is 175 cm 5’9″?
Yes, 175 cm converts to approximately 5’8.9″, which rounds to 5’9″. The slight remainder of 0.1 inches is well within normal rounding conventions for consumer and medical use (ManuelsWeb practical reference).
Is 162 cm 5’3″ or 5’4″?
162 cm is closer to 5’4″. The exact conversion yields 5’3.81″, and the 0.81-inch remainder clearly exceeds the 0.5-inch midpoint, making 5’4″ the appropriate rounded value.
How to convert inches to cm?
Multiply any inch value by 2.54 to get the centimeter equivalent. This factor is exact by international definition and never varies. For example: 10 inches × 2.54 = 25.40 cm.
What is the formula for ft to cm?
The formula is cm = (feet × 30.48) + (inches × 2.54). Alternatively, convert feet to total inches first (feet × 12), then multiply total inches by 2.54. Both methods produce identical results.
For everyday use, the choice between metric and imperial is mostly regional preference—medical institutions worldwide converge on the same 2.54 cm per inch standard. A buyer comparing international clothing sizes or a patient reviewing health records across borders benefits most from understanding both systems and knowing the conversion is always exact.
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Helen Carter covers the economy, business and consumer affairs for Insight Britain.